Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-04-07

dui. luc hcNs iIuiii OF. T. lcI WdS
not encouraging, aud at length my
husband said: "What shall 1t be? Shall
we stay or goP' | answered: "All we
have in the world is here. We will
stay and defend it." / learned after
ward that / was the only woman in the
country around us that stayed.
Husband then called the men of the
town together, and while they were
devising means of defense l nodded
bullets. 1t was arranged that when
danger threatened all were to run to
our house. In the meantime boards
were gotten ready to barricade the
door and windows. The ammunition
was all placed upstairs, where, at the
slightest alarm, / and the children were
to go. was also instructed how to
supply them with powder, shot and
bullets. The men all assembled every
night at our house, where they re-
manned till morning. Each gun and
revolver was loaded and in readiness.
Our quiet little home presented
strange appearance, with guns stand
ing around like an arsenal, and the
floor strewn with boards, hatchets,
axes and nails. Never shall forget
those days of fear and dread, net
knowing whether another day would
find us living.
One night we had quite fright. I'll
the men had assembled but one. lie
had store, and, thinking the danger
over, decided to stay in his own house.
He was the owner of rifle, and
thought he could defend himself. About
ten o clock we were all startled by ter
rife screams, that seemed to draw
nearer. Every one sprang to his feet,
all murmuring with one breath ''the
Indians" The children and | were
hurried upstairs. A loud knocking at
the door caused all to hesitate. The
knocking was repeated. My husband
cautiously opened the door, and discov-
cred our friend, who informed them
that some Winnebago Indians had
called him from his bed, wishing to
buy something. AS they had always
been friendly, he thought he would
open to them. He no sooner unbolted
the door than they rushed in, and,
reaching for his gun, he didn't stop to
dispute with them, but started for our
house, giving yell at every jump. On
investigation next day the men con-
cluded it was just case of burglary,
and afterward the Indians were COM
PEELED by the agent to return the rifle.
We could hear occasionally from diff
ferent sources that the Indians were
killing, burning houses and carrying
off women, but, fortunately for us, they
never reached our place. Gradually
as the weeks wore on the rumors
ceased and the people began to return
to their homes, and things began to
look bright once more. Yet little of
the old fear hung about us. To show
an instance, we went fishing one day,
and while intently watching our lines
a sharp crack caused us both to look
up. Then another crack, and husband
began to gather up his fishing tackle,
saying: Il think the safest place for
us is at home" I happened just then
to let my eyes light on some water
lilies near us, when one of the buds
opened and we heard the same report.
why" said l, II think it's the water
lilies" Sure enough, as each bud burst
in bloom the same report was heard,
but it had taken away all our desire for
fishing that day.
At another time we were frightened
by the appearance of a strange band OF
Indians. They proved to be party OF
Indians with paper stating that they
were harmless band who had permits.
sion to leave the reservation and visit
the towns near to amuse the people
with their dances. They were given all
empty house, and all went to see then
that evening, myself included. l kept
thinking all the time that perhaps il
was ruse to get the people together
and massacre them. The idea became
so strongly impressed on my mind thai
| stole out before the first dance wa,
finished, glad to get back to the bed
side of my sleeping little ones. My
husband laughed when l told him o
my fears, and said they would have haC
to kill us with their dead snakes ant
musical Instruments, as they had II,
other weapons with them.
We had now in the town hotel
clearinghouse, and several stores, ant
there seemed every prospect of success
but unfortunately the Indian excite
ment had put stop to emigration
and particularly large train of som,
eight or ten families who were on thei
way to join us, on learning the danger
changed their route. This, with tn,
indifference shown by the other part,
owning half the town, discouraged m,
husband, and, after about three and
half years spent in the most delightful
country in the world, we decided t,
return to our old home. l hear occa
sionally from there. Our little tow
never grew very large, but the lax
that then only knew canoe now ha
its steamboats,, and some places tina
contained but one home when we lief
are now large cities, and have tn
finest institutions in the State.
There are gentlemen now living il
Chicago, whom have never met sine
they partook of our hospitality, VIII
will readily recognize this picture o
our cabin home in the woods. CHI
cdgo Herald.
Hard on Widows.
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